Gates: Innovations Can Help Poor, Despite Recession

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By Jeff Bertolucci

PCWorld| PT

Photograph: Courtesy of MicrosoftThe global recession has taken a heavy toll on developed and developing nations alike, but those living in extreme poverty have been hit the hardest. And while the worldwide economy is starting to emerge from its 2009 nadir--and a full recovery may take many years--a combination of "scientific innovations and great leaders" can improve the lives of the world's poor.

That's the word from Bill Gates, who addresses these and other critical issues pertaining to worldwide poverty in his 2010 Annual Letter as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates, who left Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropic efforts, see a rocky road ahead for the global economy.

"Although the acute financial crisis is over, the economy is still weak, and the world will spend a lot of years undoing the damage, which includes lingering unemployment and huge government deficits and debts at record levels," he writes.

Despite his gloomy economic forecast, however, Gates is optimistic that wealthier, technologically advanced nations can "improve the human condition" for everyone.

No Easy Solutions

The personal and political challenges are great, however. In northern India, for instance, almost 10 percent of children die before their fifth birthday. Improved vaccination rates would help. Gates, who traveled to India last summer, points out that money from well-intentioned donors doesn't always get to the people who need it most. New political leadership in India, as well as local watchdog groups that monitor spending of charitable contributions, may help, though. "The foundation is considering funding measurement systems to help improve these programs," he writes.